RANK #75 / 996 · POP 52,522 · OH
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.1%
Ashland County, Ohio, is often recognized by locals for its annual BalloonFest, a tradition celebrating the city's past as the "balloon capital of the world" due to its history in rubber product manufacturing. Located in northeastern Ohio, roughly 60 miles southwest of Cleveland and 80 miles northeast of Columbus, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger urban amenities. Commutes within the county are generally short, with an average one-way trip of under 20 minutes. The area features extensive outdoor recreation, including Mohican State Park and Forest, offering thousands of acres for hiking, birdwatching, and other activities. The Ashland County Park District also maintains 18 parks and numerous trails.
Life in Ashland County offers a community-focused environment with above-average public schools, including the Ashland City School District and Mapleton Local School District. Ashland University, a private institution, contributes to the local culture and provides educational opportunities. The economy, historically rooted in manufacturing, has seen recent developments, including an e-commerce company establishing a regional hub and ongoing housing projects. These initiatives aim to expand housing options, potentially attracting families and workers to the area. The county also benefits from its location with convenient access to interstates.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
PumpHouse District Redevelopment (Apartments & Hotel)
Vision Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Ashland County has a Boom Town Index score of 93/100, ranking #75 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.6% and a median household income of $62,254, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Ashland County is $163,600 with median rent at $815/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3805, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.6%. Home values changed +5.4% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.07% of Ashland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.